Weekly Environmental News Update for Week 43, 2021
Weekly environmental news update from across different media networks for Week 43 (Oct 25 to 31) 2021.
Young environmental activists petition for climate education in Delhi schools
A group of environmental activists have started an online petition, requesting the Delhi and central governments to include climate education in Delhi schools.
Delhi govt launches chatbot, website on pollution
Delhi government launched a chatbot and website to facilitate people’s participation in the fight against pollution.
Delhi govt’s ‘green fellows’ to help tackle pollution
The Delhi government has decided to hire young students and professionals to become ‘green fellows’ under their ‘Green Delhi’ mission.
Delhi air quality may slip into ‘very poor’ zone soon, warn scientists
India Meteorological Department forecasters said that air quality in Delhi may deteriorate in the coming days.
33 DPCC teams to enforce ban on diesel gensets in Delhi
Only emergency and essential services have been exempted from the ban.
Pollution, winter, and Delhi’s annual tryst with bad air
Environment experts, however, said that Delhi has, over the last few years, seen several “action plans”, but results can only be seen when agencies act on those plans.
Power ministry proposes amendments in EC Act to boost renewable energy consumption
The ministry of power has proposed amendments to the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The amendments are aimed at promoting consumption of renewable energy.
Delhi Jal Board to rectify water bills of high amounts
The DJB will rectify the bills through adjustments and recasting of the bills where the reading has accumulated over a period of time.
Delhi: DDA earmarks ₹825cr to ease water, power access in Narela
The Delhi Development Authority has approved projects worth nearly ₹825 crore in Narela, as part of its initiative to revive the area as the new residential, industrial and commercial hub in the Capital.
Despite GPS, waste management is off course in Delhi
To bring transparency in its garbage collection system, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has asked waste disposal concessionaires to install GPS trackers in their vehicles.
E-waste disposal, a mounting headache for the city
The system mostly hinges on informal players like ragpickers.
Health ministry auctions e-waste worth Rs 13 lakh
The Union health ministry has auctioned e-waste worth Rs 13 lakh.
Delhi: Closure notice to over 1,800 plastic manufacturing, recycling units for violating norms
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued a notice for closure to 551 plastic manufacturing units and 1,278 recyclers operating without valid registration under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
EDMC for bio-mining of legacy waste at Ghazipur
The East Delhi Municipal Corporation passed a proposal to implement the bio-mining of “50 lakh tonnes” of legacy waste.
GRAP measures in place, but waste burning rampant in Gurugram
Though the graded response action plan has been implemented in Gurugram, garbage burning incidents are still being reported in the city.
No central helpline number in Gurugram for reporting complaints of air pollution
Authorities in Gurugram are yet to come up with a centralised helpline number, where residents can lodge complaints of sources contributing to air pollution.
India lost $87 billion to climate disasters in 2020: Report
India’s loss was second to China, which lost $238 billion in 2020, the UN weather agency said in its State of the Climate in Asia report.
Carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 above decadal average
Pandemic disruption didn’t significantly dent overall greenhouse gas emissions.
75% districts in India vulnerable to climate crisis, face risk of floods: Report
The study estimates that over 75% of the Indian districts, including 95% of coastal ones, are extreme event hotspots.
India, Italy to collaborate on green hydrogen, gas sector
India, Italy agree to encourage joint investments of the two countries’ companies in energy transition-related fields.
Ghaziabad: Special task force for executing Kaushambi’s environment plan
The National Green Tribunal has directed for constituting a special task force for a high-level monitoring of the steps being executed under the environment management plan for the Kaushambi township.
Gautam Budh Nagar: Demand for e-vehicles rise; district got 6,937 such vehicles
Officials of transport department in Gautam Budh Nagar said they usually register 10 to 15 electric vehicles a day.
Gujarat govt to stop allotting city space for polluting units
Guideline to strike off provisions for chemical plants in development plans and town planning schemes will be released by the state urban development department, a few weeks after Diwali.
‘Assam among 5 states vulnerable to extreme climate events’
According to a new study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, Assam is among the five states that are highly vulnerable to extreme climate events.
BMC to study crocodiles at Powai Lake
BMC will conduct a six month long study to assess crocodiles. This will be the first time that such a study will be undertaken.
UP climate conclave: Time to plan energy conservation, say experts
There was a need to cut carbon emission in whatever one did, said experts on the second day of the ‘UP Climate Challenge Conclave-2021.
Locals, activists hold sit-in fast to protect Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Pune
Members of ‘Save Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary’ and residents of Kalyani nagar held a sit-in fast to protest the dumping of rubble and debris at the Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary.
A movement to root out invasive alien species
The Pune-based MABI is taking up the fight in Maharashtra and beyond.
Villagers oppose opening up of Hasdeo Arand forest for coal mining in Chhattisgarh
The mine is owned by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, which has handed over the mining operations to Rajasthan Collieries Limited, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises.
Climate finance, carbon markets to top India’s agenda at COP26
Scientists, activists and environmentalists believe that the Glasgow summit,could be the last opportunity to keep global warming to agreed upon limits.
Indian-origin artist’s climate action film to premiere at COP-26 Summit in Glasgow
UK-based Indian-origin artist and musician Soumik Datta will make his directorial debut at the COP-26 Summit in Glasgow when his climate action focussed ‘Songs of the Earth’ will be premiered.
